The Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs is set to collaborate with the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative in a renewed effort to curb drug abuse across the state through robust public enlightenment campaigns.
This was conveyed in a statement signed by Sani Abba Yola, Director of Special Duties at the ministry, following a courtesy visit by the Kano State Commander of WADA to the office of the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya.
Comrade Waiya affirmed that the state government is committed to addressing the scourge of drug abuse, particularly through the recently established Safe Corridor initiative, which focuses on rehabilitating repentant gang leaders and their followers to reintegrate them as productive members of society.
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Waiya, who was recently appointed as an Ambassador of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), emphasized his longstanding commitment to the anti-drug campaign. With over 13 years of active advocacy, he has partnered with multiple organizations, including the NDLEA, to combat drug abuse across the country.
He assured the WADA delegation of the ministry’s readiness to support and collaborate in sensitizing the public on the dangers and consequences of drug abuse.
Earlier in his remarks, Commander Umar Haruna Abdullahi said the visit was aimed at seeking the ministry’s partnership in raising public awareness and strengthening the fight against substance abuse in Kano. He outlined the logistical challenges facing WADA, including inadequate office accommodation and a shortage of operational vehicles, which have hampered the agency’s effectiveness.
Commander Abdullahi also explained WADA’s operational framework, which includes the deployment of unit commanders, surveillance officers, and guidance and counseling personnel in every ward across the state, ensuring grassroots reach in their anti-drug campaign.
In a related development, the Commissioner also received the Zonal Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Ibrahim Abdul Danladi, who paid a courtesy call to introduce the zonal office and present a proposal for collaboration.
Danladi expressed the corporation’s interest in partnering with the ministry to organize training programs for Information Officers and to establish a training institute in Kano. This, he said, would allow residents to benefit from film and media capacity-building opportunities without needing to travel to the NFC’s main institute in Jos.
In response, Comrade Waiya welcomed the proposal and assured the NFC of the ministry’s willingness to collaborate, particularly in training programs and the production of documentaries that highlight the achievements of the current administration.
